The Battle of the Office Snacks

So, as I'm waiting for my lunch to heat up in the microwave, I stood and ate my Brussels sprouts while I stared at the raspberry crumb and the ginger chocolate chip bars; also knowing that there was a container full of fudge in the refrigerator.

I think I've already proved that I have no will power.  So, how have I been successful on this road to health?  I try to remove all temptation and avoid my triggers.

I've learned that I cannot keep chocolate chips in my house.  I even fooled myself into thinking that I can finally practice the rule of "everything in moderation".  I can't.  I admit it.  I no longer have my favorite peanut butter in my pantry because I know, just because I don't have the chocolate chips, it doesn't mean I won't go to town on that jar with just a spoon.  Maybe someday I can partake in the wonder of White Chocolate Wonderful, but that is just not the case right now.  I don't trust myself with it.  And it's not only peanut butter and chocolate, it's any kind of sweet.  If I'm being honest, it's not only the sweet stuff either.  Hummus chips (with sea salt!).  I can't buy those anymore because I snack incessantly while I'm cooking dinner and then, before I know it, dang it all the bag is gone.  Oops, I Did it Again.

This is exactly how I quit smoking (April 9th will be 8 months, folks.  Can I get a "woot woot").  I just stopped.  I refused to be around people who smoke and I had to stop drinking any kind of alcohol for a time.  These were triggers.  I couldn't even SEE a pack.  It helps that the restaurants/bars in North Carolina are smoke free, but even now, it's still hard when I'm with people who are smokers.  I don't want to deny them, but it's hard when you're the only one left sitting when everyone else goes outside for a puff or two, doing what you "want" to do, but know you "can't" or you'll never be able to stop again.

So how do I deal with the onslaught of yummy office snacks and all other temptations?  I fall off the wagon sometimes.  No doubt about that.

But then I remember.

I want to be around for a while.  I'm not ready to be done with this life.  I believe, and hope, there is still something I'm meant to do with it.  Something good.

I want to be healthy and I want to be happy.

I want to run.

Far.

So, a little advice.  If you find yourself in a situation when you're having a staring contest with temptation, just ......remember.

And don't try the Brussels sprouts route.  It doesn't work.  

Another New Favorite Quote:

I was reading one of my favorite blogs (SUAR.  This woman is absolutely hysterical, I kid you NOT) and she referenced an article entitled 12 Things to Start Caring About Today  from one of her favorite blogs, Marc and Angel Hack Life.

In this article, I found another New Favorite Quote:

Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.

Well said.

So, I had a pretty big night last night.

this is me.  in a dress.
all awkward-like.
don't be scared.

If you know me, you know that I don't like to draw any attention to myself.  Also, if it isn't running attire, blue fuzzy pants, jeans or t-shirts, it doesn't belong on my body.  My hair normally is kept in a pony tail and eyeliner and lipstick very rarely grace this face.  These are things that I am normally very successful and happy in maintaining,  yesterday being the exception.

It all started when I walked into work with my hair done, makeup on, a dress and boots on.  I tried really hard to fly in under the radar, just sitting at my desk hiding behind my monitors.  It didn't work. And then, the blushing only got worse from there when I had to tell people why.  No.  It wasn't an interview as my supervisor feared.  I had a special occasion to attend after work.

You see, I was being inducted into an honor society .....

Not only am I a running fiend, blogger-extraordinaire, wife, step-mom, full-time fundraising researcher; I am also a part-time student attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Go Niner Nation!).   I have been enrolled for...um, five years now?... taking one or two classes each semester.  SLOWLY chipping away at it.  Next semester, I'll be a senior.....for like three more years (sigh).

Through it all, somehow I've kept a decent GPA and was invited to join Alpha Sigma Lambda, an honor society for non-traditional students who are "First in Scholarship and Leadership".

Last night was our induction ceremony.  

And it wasn't until last night that I became kinda proud of what I'm doing.

Yea.  I'm pretty awesome.

No one told me there was going to be a photographer....

Now this is just not fair......

I didn't even have a chance to pose or give a peace sign or anything.

And holy He-Man neck.  

He should have been near the drumline.  Now THAT would have been worthy...  

filed under *PHOTO, FAIL

1 pound of chocolate chips and 2 jars of peanut butter later....

Hello.  My name is Hope, and I'm a peanut butter'holic.

You may laugh, but it's true.  And the title is no exaggeration.  I went through 2 jars of peanut butter and 1 pound of chocolate chips in 1 week.  When I was on the third jar, standing in my kitchen, in the dark.... I had to admit to myself I had a problem.

Which makes offers like these that appear in my Facebook news feed nearly impossible to resist.
http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/peanutpower12

This does not help my recovery plan.....

AND

Today is Pi Day.  Egads.

Go.  Enjoy. Have a slice of peanut butter pie in my honor.

Training, Racing and Drumlines

This past Saturday, I went beyond my normal two-exit radius and ventured into the big city of Charlotte, North Carolina.  You see, I was able to talk some of my co-workers into running with me in the Alston+Bird LLP Corporate Cup 5K and Half Marathon.  Now, we work in the fundraising biz, hence the really cool team name and awesome t-shirts.  May I present to you Team Fund Racers!

I'm the one on the left, looking like she has to pee....

We met at 7:30 am on a beautiful, yet windy, morning among 2,333 runners. We had some folks running the 5k and some running the Half.  After our photo op, we all headed to the start line with our racing faces on.....

 We don't put the "Fun" in Fund Racer for nothing, yo!
 
Anyway.  I had 12 miles scheduled for Saturday as part of my training.  Seeing that I'm "saving myself" for the Flying Pirate, I decided to run the 5K and run some miles before and after.  Plus, I was really curious as to what kind of time I could put in since my very first race last April, almost one year ago.

I did a 3 mile warm up with Jyl, (you remember Jyl).  She ran the Half as part of her marathon training.  Then, at 8:00 we all started running the streets of Charlotte.  I have never ran with so many people before!  It's good practice though, as the Pirate will have about 4,000 runners and the Boilermaker I'll be running with my family in July has just SOLD OUT, capped at 14,000.  Also, navigating water stops is new territory for me too!  (oops getting off topic...)  So.  Well, plainly said, I set out way too fast!  I didn't think I'd make it the 3 miles....almost puked at mile 1.75.  Somehow I pulled it together and made it through.  Then, when I looked at my watch it said 26:23....my last 5K was 32 minutes.  That's a sub 9 minute pace per mile.  (p.s.  official chip time came in at 26:24)

Booyah, my friends, Boo. Yah.

Now, if you're doing math with me, you'll remember that I had 12 miles to complete.  So, with 6 miles down and 6 miles to go, I decided to head out backwards down the half marathon course to see if I could meet up with Jyl.  After 3 miles down and a nice chat with a police officer, there she was, looking strong!  After a mile or two of chit chat and me spilling Powerade in my shoe, we come to one of the last hills of the course.  And on this hill was a drumline.  Man I LOVE a drumline!  Sexy. As. Hell!  And it is at this point I must issue a public apology to all that had to witness me doing the run/dance combination.  Sorry y'all, I just couldn't resist it!

Thankfully, Jyl resisted her urge to push me down (no, I wouldn't blame her if she did!), and we made it to the finish, Jyl getting a PR too!  Made for a great day!

And now, I leave you with these parting words of wisdom.

If you hear a drumline, you just gotta dance.... even though cute cops will laugh at you.

So, I have this morning ritual....

I grab my cup of coffee and my multi-grain English muffin with Peanut Butter & Company peanut butter and check my favorite blogs for new posts.  However, there are a couple that haven't posted anything new in over a month and I find myself highly irritated by this.  I mean, don't they know that I look forward to reading their hijinx every morning with my cup-o-jo??

And then I thought to myself, "Self, you are SUCH A HYPOCRITE."

Tomorrow:  a recap of my Saturday that includes a 12 mile run including a 5K race in the "big" city of Charlotte.

Next week:  maybe some Food for Thought and a Flying Pirate Training Update (not sure if there will be illustrations though)....and maybe some run-of-the-mill musings of yours truly

Coming soon:  I may, or may not, have a big announcement to share.

TTFN!